Prostatitis

Prostatitis is a painful inflammation of the prostate. It is a common condition that can affect men at any age.

Types of prostatitis

Prostatitis can be caused by an infection or inflammation that isn’t related to an infection. Prostatitis is classified into 4 types by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases in the United States.

Acute bacterial prostatitis

Acute bacterial prostatitis is caused by bacteria. It is called acute because the symptoms start suddenly and may be severe. It is the least common type of prostatitis, but it is the easiest to treat.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis

Chronic (long-term) bacterial prostatitis is caused by bacteria and often lingers for several months. The symptoms are usually milder than acute bacterial prostatitis and tend to come and go. Chronic bacterial prostatitis can cause urinary symptoms such as burning or pain during urination, but it doesn’t cause fever or chills. It appears to be more common in older men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

CP/CPPS is the most common type of prostatitis. It is a chronic condition that isn’t caused by bacteria. It causes pain or discomfort in the pelvis that may come and go.

Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis doesn’t cause any symptoms and doesn’t need to be treated. It is often diagnosed when doctors do tests to look for other conditions, such as prostate cancer, or to find the cause of infertility. Doctors diagnose asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis when there are white blood cells in the prostate or prostatic fluid.

Risk factors

Prostatitis can be caused by infection with bacteria, viruses or fungi. Surgical procedures, such as a prostate biopsy or getting a catheter, can expose the prostate or urethra to infection.

Having unprotected sex can expose the prostate to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can cause prostatitis. It is important to note that prostatitis itself isn’t contagious, but STIs are.

Treatment

Alpha-blockers are drugs that relax the muscles near the prostate. This can relieve pressure on the urethra and allow urine to flow more easily.

Muscle relaxants may be given to help lessen bladder contractions. They can help to reduce leakage of urine and the sense of urgency to urinate.

Phytotherapy is a type of herbal medicine (an alternative therapy) that uses natural extracts to treat disease. Doctors sometimes prescribe the phytotherapy herbal medicines quercetin or Cernilton to treat CP/CPPS. Quercetin is an extract found in red wine, green tea and onions. Cernilton is a flower pollen extract. These drugs have been shown to reduce inflammation in the prostate and help relieve symptoms in men with CP/CPPS.

A catheter is a flexible tube that may be put into the bladder through the urethra to help you pass urine.

Supportive therapy may be given to relieve pain and discomfort. Your doctor may prescribe medicines to relieve fever and pain or to soften your stool. You may be given fluids by mouth (orally) or through a needle in a vein (intravenously) to help prevent dehydration. The healthcare team may also recommend relaxation exercises for the muscles of the pelvic floor and warm baths that cover just the hips and buttocks (called a sitz bath).

infertility

An inability to conceive or produce children.

Infertility may be a side effect of some cancer treatments, including radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Sometimes called sterility.

pelvic floor

The muscles that make up the lower part of the pelvis. These muscles support the organs inside the pelvis. When pelvic floor muscles don’t work properly, it may cause incontinence.

alternative therapy

Any treatment or product that is used instead of conventional therapy (the currently accepted and widely used treatment).